Good child-friendly restaurants in Bristol?

[tiokiko]

Hi - just wondering if anyone can suggest a good place to go for lunch with my DD (22m) and my friend's DD (2.4) please? I am travelling from the Midlands and she is in the SW so Bristol is the best place to meet in the middle but I don't know it well.

Would like to go somewhere that's nice for us too, not somewhere that just has nuggets & chips for kids if you know what I mean.

I had heard good things about Riverstation but looking at their website it looks more swish/businessy than family - any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

"some ideas"

I also like:
The Olive Shed
Primrose Cafe

i've had some lovely meals (treats, it must be said) at the riverstation with my kids.
the staff tend to be friendly and it manages to be smart and grown up whilst also relaxed.

The new lido up in Clifton would be another good bet, but i've only gone there with my baby, not with actually movers.

I think at the moment, at lunchtme, restaurants should be glad of the trade.

Enjoy your meal!

Are you sure you want to drive all they way into Bristol for lunch? There is a surprisingly good Greek restaurant just off junction 21 of the M5 (WSM/Worle turn off). I think it's called Costas Taverna or something equally fake Greek.

If you are feeling kind to your children you can go to soft play hell at Puxton Park on the same road. Don't eat there though - expensive and rubbish.

this place is very child friendly.

Zizzi's clifton village? or park st?
Giraffe - Cabot Circus?
Lockside
Browns?
Cosmo?

The Roayl Oak is a very family-friendly pub with decent food for adults, and is about a 10 minute drive from the M32 so relatively easy to get to, although I'm sure there are easier places. I second Planet Pizza, which is not far from the above pub, as well as the Olive Shed. I went there recently with my Mum and toddler and they were really accomodating. It is right on the docks, so is a good spot for a walk along the water, and you may see the steam train chugging along if it's the right day.

Agree that Royal Oak is a great place for kids - especially the ages you're talking about. We go there a fair bit with our 16mo and she loves it. Loads of outdoor play space (with some artificial lawn to avoid wrecked clothes if its wet). Food is good as well.

Could also try Spyglass (or whatever its called now?). Simple grilled food with 'grown-up' kids options. Based on a boat and under tarp, so very easy for kids, and in no way over-precious.

Not the biggest fan of Riverstation personally, have had some poor dishes there at the higher end of the cost spectrum. Have never done lunch there though so not sure what the menu's like - could be an improvement.

Don't rate Primrose Cafe for kids - the place is very crowded on a lunchtime and your kids are of an age where they'll probably want a good run around. Clifton gets on my wick anyway! Food is lovely though.

There are a host of other great country pubs if you go away from Bristol on the A38 junction. Saves you the chronic Bristol traffic and probably means a nice walk afterwards. Search around Oldbury-on-Severn and those areas - afraid I don't have time to find links right now.

Brasserie Blanc has 3 stages of child menu (from carrot purée to small portions of adult dishes) and is really nice.